Press Release

For Immediate Release October 25, 2005

Contact: Erin DiMuzio Senior Manager, Communications 703-600-2028 (direct) erin.dimuzio@retail-leaders.org

Doha Round Critical to Trade System Modernization

RILA Partners with American Business Coalition for Doha to Urge Significant Progress

Arlington, VA (October 25, 2005)- The Retail Industry Leaders Association (RILA) is urging members of the World Trade Organization (WTO) to make much needed progress in key trade areas including tariff reductions, service negotiations and rules for negotiations during the Doha Round of multilateral trade negotiations.

"The Doha Round of negotiations is a top priority for our members," said RILA President Sandy Kennedy. "Our retailers are among the nation's largest importers of consumer products. A growing number of them are operating stores around the world, bringing quality products at affordable prices to consumers around the globe, and serve as an important engine for world economic growth."

RILA is one of several top trade associations on the steering committee for the American Business Coalition for Doha (ABCDoha), and is working closely with leading companies to develop the Coalition's mission of achieving ambitious results from the current round of multilateral trade negotiations in the Word Trade Organization.

The result of the talks could benefit retailers, manufacturers and consumers by reducing tariffs for both agriculture and non-agriculture products, specifically consumer products such as footwear and apparel.

"The Doha Round represents a historic opportunity to achieve a global agreement that reflects the character and pace of today's modern society," said RILA's Lori Denham, senior vice president of policy and planning. "One of our top priorities is ensuring the WTO makes market access improvements to the distribution services which will make it easier for RILA members to operate stores internationally."

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The Retail Industry Leaders Association (RILA) is an alliance of the world's most successful and innovative retailer and supplier companies - the leaders of the retail industry. RILA members represent more than $1 trillion in sales annually and operate more than 100,000 stores, manufacturing facilities and distribution centers nationwide. Its member retailers and suppliers have facilities in all 50 states, as well as internationally, and employ millions of workers domestically and worldwide. Through RILA, leaders in the critical disciplines of the retail industry work together to improve their businesses and the industry as a whole.